Malawi Cichlids - Tanganyika Cichlids - American Cichlids - Guppy - Goldfish
8/19/11
DIY Cheap and Highly Functional Tank Separator for Fry Tank
A homemade tank separator for a 10 gallon fry tank.
This DIY was actually done as a ten gallon project. If appropriate size changes were made, it could be completed on larger sized tanks such as 15 gallon, maybe even 20. But this project works great on a 10 gallon tank.
Tools:
Scissors
Materials:
1 Sheet Darice Ultra Stiff Plastic Canvas 12"X18" or (larger/smaller depending on size of tank to be used on)
1 3pack of Avery Sliding Bar Report Covers
The plastic canvas can be located at a hobby shop, sewing department, or a Field's Fabrics. The Avery report cover can be found in a stationary department of a Walmart/Meijer/Etc. Can also be found at Staples and many College Book Stores.
Optional Materials:
2 Suction Cups (air line holding suction cups work great, the kind that are flimsy and have a circular rubber piece you can insert the tube through)
6 Zip Ties
Instructions:
Take measurements from 1" above the water line to the base of your substrate. Write this number down. Take measurement between the inner edge of the glass between the front and back of tank. (If planning on suction cups, subtract out about 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch to make room for the recessed suction cup installation) Write this number down. Measure the same amount of space out on the Plastic Canvas, and cut to width and height of tank. The small squared holes will make this pretty easy, but be weary of leaving small sharp edges from the cut squares. Trim off any excess peg pieces from the outer rims. Then affix the Sliding Bars from the 3 pack to the edges that will apply pressure to the tanks glass and hold the barrier in place. Cut off any excess length from these bars, up to 1/2" above the top of the netting. See picture below to clarify what the small amount of excess bar length will be used for in optional material instructions.
Optional Tools:
Pen Knife
Optional Instructions:
Using the pen knife, drill small holes in the bars to affix the zip ties through and to tighten the bar onto the netting. 1 hole minimum will be needed at the top of each bar and bottom, all the way through. (You will not have to drill the netting, a small zip tie will go through) Insert zip ties through the holes and back through the netting to tie up. Tighten and clip off excess zip tie cord. Do this with each hole prepared. Then trim a recess into the top of each bar (facing towards the glass--will be the spine area you cut off the bars--cut about 1/8-1/4" into the rod) so the suction cup will be recessed and level with the edge of the bar. Then affix the suction cup to the bar in the recessed area. Next drill a hole below the area where the suction cup is affixed and insert a zip tie and tie it around the suction cup connection with the rod. Do this with both rods. Lastly take the pen knife and cut off any burs from all the plastic components to eliminate any sharp edges.
Installation:
Take top off tank, place in tank bending slightly, and push carefully into substrate and affix against tank walls. If contains suction cups, press slightly onto glass to add sturdiness.
Image of typical suction cup that's perfect to use.
Completed Separator:
As installed in my 10 gallon fry tank.
I hope this tutorial was incredibly useful. It was a pleasure to make this device and incredibly cheaper in the long run. I am also sure it will be more reliable then the ones for sale today. The total cost for this project for me was $3.00. A typical retailed Tank Separator system can cost between $10-20.00 for a similar sized tank as my 10 gallon.
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